Telangana Medical Council Cracks Down on Quack Clinics
Hyderabad: Raids Target Quack Clinics
In a decisive move against unqualified medical practice, the Telangana State Medical Council (TGMC) recently raided three clinics in Karimnagar. These clinics were found to be operated by individuals practicing allopathy without proper qualifications. First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against these individuals.
Unqualified Practices Uncovered
During the raid, TGMC’s anti-quackery committee discovered that these unqualified practitioners were using doctor prefixes, writing prescriptions, administering antibiotics and steroids, and even running inpatient facilities that contravened the National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations.
Legal Implications
According to Section 34 of the NMC Act, only those enrolled in the State or National Register are entitled to sign medical or fitness certificates or give expert evidence in court. Violation of this law can lead to imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to five lakh rupees, or both.
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Section 54 states that only authorized officers from the Commission, Ethics and Medical Registration Board, or a State Medical Council can file a complaint for such offenses.
Evidence Collection and Further Action
Officials collected various pieces of evidence, including prescriptions, medicines, injections, and abortion kits, which were submitted to the health minister’s office. Dr. G Srinivas of TGMC stated that the quacks had no medical qualifications and were using the ‘medical practitioner’ and ‘doctor’ prefixes illegally.
Widespread Issue
In previous raids across Suryapet and Nalgonda districts, 55 quacks were identified. These individuals, lacking medical degrees, were found administering antibiotics, abortion pills, and steroid injections, and conducting illegal abortions. They falsely claimed to be Registered Medical Practitioners and Private Medical Practitioners, practicing medicine at the level of MBBS, in violation of NMC regulations.
Conclusions
The Telangana State Medical Council continues its efforts to safeguard public health by cracking down on unqualified medical practitioners. By enforcing the NMC Act, they aim to ensure that only qualified professionals provide medical care.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
